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LIBRARY Of CONGRESS 
Two CoDies Received 

MAh 24 1906 

/% Copyriffht Entry 7 

CLASS # ' m» No. 

COPY B. 



COPYRIGHT, ic 



HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 
Published March, iqob. 



RAHAB 






CHARACTERS 

(In the order of their appearance) 

Ammon, a lover of Rahab 

Lela, a harp player 

A Soothsayer 

A Messenger 

Rahab, a woman of Jericho 

Zuleika, her attendant 

Salmon, a prince of Israel, sent by Joshua as 
a spy 

Horeb, a companion spy 

Zeman, a soldier of Jericho 

Amorah, mother of Rahab 

Asenath, sister of Rahab 

Nathaniah, Rahab 1 s father 

Pleasure makers at Rahab 1 s house, soldiers of 
Jericho, Israelites, etc. 

The whole action occurs in Jericho, capital city 
of the Canaanites, about 1500 B. G. 



ACT I. 



'Behold when we come into the land, thou shalt 
bind this line of scarlet thread in the window 
which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt 
bring thy father and thy mother and thy brethren 
and all thy father's household home unto thee. 
And it shall be that whosoever shall go out of the 
doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall 
be upon his head and we will be guiltless: and 
whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his 
blood shall be upon our head, if any hand be 
upon him. Joshua ii. 18-19. 



RAHAB 



A 



Act I. 

MORNING in late Summer ten days 
before the siege. Scene, a large living- 
room in Rahab's house, on the wall; lattice- 
work at back, with open doors giving on to 
the wall, whence one overlooks the city of 
Jericho seen from an elevation. Doors, 
draped with rich hangings, and flanked by 
marble pillars, at right and left. The 
room is a beautiful one: marble floor 
with great oriental rugs: tropical plants 

about: ornaments in bronze and iron, 
5 



6 Rahab 

gold and silver. A marble fountain 

playing in back centre. On either side 

of it, images of Baal, Ashtoreth, Moloch, 

and other gods of the Phoenician tribe of 

Canaanites. Curtain discloses a group of 

men and maidens surrounding fountain; 

they circle and dance to music of harps and 

citherns played by several girls sitting on 

marble benches placed along sides of the 

room. As each dancer comes in front of 

an idol, he or she makes an obeisance. On 

conclusion of dance, the women sportfully 

toss up water from the fountain at the men, 

who make as if to embrace them. 

Ammon. 

[coming down stage and addressing 

others, who follow and begin to 

take seats on the marble settles. 

Well footed, by our gods ! 

First Woman. 

To dance is sweet; 
To love — is sweeter. 



Rahab 7 

Ammon. 

Love us then, fair maid! 
Second Woman. 
Thy feet are light, and light thy vows of faith — 
Rahab said so, last night. 

Ammon. 

The maiden Rahab ! 
Where stays she, as we while the sun-fierce hours 
Here in her pleasure house ? 

First Woman. 

Among the palms 
And cypresses she walks apart : for she 
Is sad of late, nor joins our revellings 
Nor bows her head to mighty Baal (all bow) 

nor likes, 
As once she did, to listen to the song 
Made to her honour by our poet player. 
[Points to girl with harp. 
Ammon. 
What song is that? 

First Woman. 

Hear it, if so you will: 



8 Rahab 

Lela, thy harp : our mood is all for music. 

[Lela takes harp and sings, the 
rest grouping themselves pictur- 
esquely around her on benches 
and floor. Ammon a little 
apart. 



SONG. 

Rahab is queen of love; her dress 
Betrays the beauty claspt within: 

Her mouth is made for tenderness; 
Men lose their souls, her grace to win 

She stands like a pomegranate tree, 
Straight, beautiful, and proud to see. 

The warm dusk-splendour of her eyes 
Might wreck the councils of a king; 

Not statelier the Jordan flies 
Than do her feet in pleasuring: 

She doth enthrall with magics three : 
With doubt, and hope, and glamoury. 



Rah ab 9 

Then strike rich chords of pain and bliss 

For Rahab, rose of Jericho : 
A regal flower to pluck and kiss 

And woman's bitter-sweet to know : 
In all the lists of coquetry, 

None walks so wonderful as she. 
Ammon. 
The song is meet : I would that she were here ! 

[A noise is heard outside which all 
heed. 
Second Woman. 
Look ! Some one comes — a motley figure, too. 
[A Soothsayer rashes in breath- 
less, by the door that leads from 
the wall. He is clad in black and 
red; cabalistic ornaments are on 
his long robe and conical hat. 
A mirror wrapt in rich velvet 
depends from his neck by a 
golden chain. He carries a 
tripod in one hand. All sur- 
round him at the centre. 



io Rahab 

Soothsayer. 
Harbourage, and the chance to read the stars ! 
I can interpret signs. 

First Woman. 
In nick of time, 
A soothsayer ! We'll have him riddle us 
The issues of the Autumn. Some men say 
Dark omens overbrood the city. 

Second Woman. 
Now, 
Foretell the future, mystic sir, and gain 
In good red gold. 

Third Woman. 

Yea, peddle us thy dreams 
And divinations. 

Soothsayer. 

Straightway will I so. 

Dwells Mistress Rahab here? Yon motley mob 

Handled me roughly till I cried for help, 

Whereat they jeered: "Go, seek it there of 

Rahab; 



Rahab ii 

She medicines the men." — Their laughter shrilled 
About mine ears, as hitherward I rushed. 

First Woman. 
Yea, this is Rahab's house. 

Soothsayer 
(obsequiously). 

I know her fame, 
And fain would please her; yea, and please ye all. 

Ammon. 
Bring us some luck in love. 

One of the Men 
(jeeringly) . 

Thou mighty sage, 
Pray, guess for me why Lela yonder goes 
O' nights in moon-blanched ways, alone and 

sad — 
For my sake, or Astarte's ? Speak it forth, 
I'll halve this circlet with thee. 

[Points to gold armring. 
Lela. 

Better say, 
Why on his face a red mark like a clover 



12 Rahab 

Burns since two days — or like a woman's hand ! 
Come, conjure that! 

[All laugh. 
Second Woman. 

Sir wise man, tell us of 
The Israelites men say would leap our walls 
And reave away us women. 

One of the Men. 

Old wives' tales ! 
Handful of desert men I 

Soothsayer. 

Good lords and dames, 
Humbly I thank ye : I would pleasure ye, 
Yet can but read within the wondrous glass 
Whatso the mid-air gods decree; I am 
Their slave, and nothing do of mine own will. 
Gentles, approach. 

[All gather nearer him. He sprin- 
kles red powder on brass plate, 
lights it, and as steam arises, 
peers into the glass which he has 
set up on the tripod, and recites: 



Rahab 13 

I see the years unroll. I hear a voice : 

[His voice changes to a sort of in- 
cantation. 
Behold, the doomed city razed to earth, 
Her idols tumbled, and her teeming ways 
Vacant, and all her noise of moving men 
Gulfed into silence. 

[Pauses, peers into mirror, bending 
low. The others take announce- 
ment with signs of displeasure. 
Lo, the picture fades. 
Now .... only can I see a woman — 

fair 
As the white foam that tops the sea ; her eyes 
Are star-bent : all about her, ranged in ranks, 
Throng saints and sages and the mighty ones 
Whose deeds make nations; and they hail and 

hail 
The woman : trumpet-clear their bailings rise, 
And more than flute-sweet : it would almost seem 
She is some prophetess or saviour — ah, 
Now fleets it forth — the vision is no more. 



14 Rahab 

[All are impressed; they look at 
each other, whisper together. 
The Soothsayer goes from one 
to another, receiving largess of 
money or ornaments; then, 
counting his gains, takes tripod, 
and goes towards left. 

Ammon 

(checking him). 

Small sport in this! — Hold, tell us livelier 

things : 
Unless thy wave-lithe maiden come to earth, 
Little we reck of women in a dream. 
I lust for dance or war or dainty love, 
Nay, most of all, for Rahab. Gods ! one look 
Out of her eyes would break a holy vigil, 
Warming it into human. Tell us, sir, 
If I shall have her! Riddle me of her, 
My queen of passion ! 

First Woman. 

Maybe he did speak 



Rahab 15 

Of her, of Rahab — for 'tis known her mind 
Is set on prophecies, nor leans toward love. 
Ammon 
[With a great laugh, letting go 
Soothsayer, who goes to en- 
trance at left, pausing there 
and hidden behind a statue of a 
god. 
Rahab the wanton ranged about by saints ! 
Daughter of joy become a priestess ! Nay — 
A million nays ! The fool did well to flee. 

[Sound of trumpet outside: clank 
of armour, growing louder: en- 
ter King's Messenger at right; 
looks about inquiringly. 
Messenger. 
I come from great Nathaniah, father to 
The maiden Rahab, and the trusty friend 
And councillor of our most potent King — 
Long may his majesty secure our days! (All 

bow.) 
Where is she ? 



16 Rahab 

Ammon. 
We await her coming now. 
Look not at me as though I were her keeper ! 
Summon her household, — though, I warrant 

thee, 
They will not meddle with her morning mood. 
Rahab, the turbulent, would be alone ! 

Messenger. 
I cannot stay, for stern the bidding is : 
The citizens must cease from revelry, 
Turn low their lights, their houses set in order, 
Lest enemies should catch us unaware. 
Rumours are all abroad: Nathaniah 
Would have his daughter heed them, make her 

haunts — 
Full now of license and of foolish mirth — 
Less boisterous, and more safe : here is his sign. 
(Hands King's signet to Ammon. ) 

Ammon. 
The Signet of the King ! His rule be long 1 
I'll give it her. But it is passing strange, 
Our King, the conqueror of a score of towns, 



Rahab 17 

Should fear these tramping tribes of alien men 
Whose fame is bruited as if mastery 
Shot from their very eyes : our walls are builded 
For foes far weightier. 

Messenger. 

Not mine to say. 
1 do my hest : obedience is my trade. 

[Exit, bowing, at right, as he came. 
First Woman. 
Grey, ominous times ! If Rahab would but come, 
Mayhap she'd make this criss-cross smooth and 
clear. 

Second Woman 
(up stage, looking of, and pointing). 
Then ask her, for she walks as though her eyes 
Read all fate's secrets. 

First Woman. 

O the masks of her ! 
Look, how she comes ! 

All. 

Hail to the mistress Rahab ! 
[All rise and salute, musicians strik- 



18 Rahab 

ing chords on instruments, as 
Rahab, followed by her hand- 
maiden, Zuleika, enters at the 
left, and inclining her head to 
them, walks slowly up stage to 
latticed window and looks forth 
over the city. 

Soothsayer 
(peering out). 
She's my dream-lady ! — Rahab ringed by saints ! 
[Goes out. 

Rahab. 
Good morrow to you all. 

Ammon 
(to Zuleika) . 

What ails the lady? 
Surely she lacks of health? 

Zuleika. 

Sombre her mood; 
She looks beyond the Jordan, and her dreams 
Are much of stranger-folk — the tribe men say 



Rahab 19 

Are camped beyond the river and may come 
To conquer our great city — idle boast ! 

One of the Men. 
Nathless, I hear that Rahab's father begs 
The King to strengthen all the guards, and close 
The triple-headed gates before the sundown. 
Strange men, 'tis whispered, walk our streets. 
Another Man. 

'Tis said 
A band of merchants Egypt-bound did see, 
But two leagues from our walls, the Israelites 
Riding lean stallions. 

Ammon. 

Let them come apace ! 
[Approaches Rahab at window. 
Will not our Rahab listen to her slave? 
Why is her glad behaviour clouded o'er 
By stormy brows and listless looks? 
Rahab. 

I am 
Not well : it jars against my very soul 
To hear yon revelry. 



20 Rahab 

Ammon. 

They loll and dote 
And fawn upon thee as do festering weeds 
About some crimson bloom. 
Rahab. 

Lip service, Ammon ! 

Ammon 

(offering her the King's signet). 

Nay, burning truth. Thy father bids thee make 

Thy house all dark and silent. 

Rahab 

(taking ring). 

Wherefore so? 
My father ! Yet no father, for he sets 
His face against me, treats me as a trull, 
Not like a daughter. Ah, he has full cause 1 
Yet he might love me, — love me back again, 
For that I love him so ! Why should I make 
My house a sepulchre these splendid days? 
Though all the gods do know my heart is sad — 
As sad as Ashtoreth when vintage fails; 
Yea, liker mourning than such merriment. 



Rahab 21 

Ammon. 

The King forefears some peril to the city. 

Rahab 

(as if in a r every) . 

Dear, sparkling city, must my dream come true? 

Must Jericho go down? 

Ammon 
(seizing her hands, trying to embrace her). 

My glorious girl, 

I love thy moods — 

Rahab 
(resisting him). 

Unhand me, Ammon 1 I 

Would break with my old life. 
Ammon. 

No, by the moon, 
Thou still art mine, as thou hast been of yore 1 

Rahab. 
Never again, albe my flesh yet quivers 
With the old passion, burns to feel thy touch : 
Never again my soul shall give consent 



22 RAHAB 

To lechery. I swear it by the God 
Of Israel ! 

Ammon 
(astounded). 
No god of love is that: 
Some one bewitches thee. 

Rahab. 

Yea, 'tis a spell 
Ineffable ; it bids me be myself, 
My own young self, when not my lips alone 
Might smile, but in my heart was laughter sweet; 
And when my sister greeted me, mine eyes 
Looked level into hers. 

[To all, advancing to them. 
Women and men 
Of Jericho, now give me leave to speak 
Alone, with my handmaiden; for there is 
Business betwixt us robs me of my mirth. 

[All rise and slowly file out at sides, 
with shrugs and whispered 
words. Ammon starts to go, 
then comes back and attempts to 



Rahab 23 

put hands upon her. She draws 
dagger. 
Rahab. 
A dagger and a death-dream ! Hear me swear it, 
By the One God ! 

Ammon 
(incensed) . 

You're but a freakish fool. 
I'll wait; the famished flesh will call again. 
A woman with one god — and many loves ! 
(Exit, laughing, after others.) 

[Rahab takes Zuleika by arm, and 
goes rapidly to a stone seat; 
both sit. 
Rahab 
(rapidly, with emotion). 
Oh, how I hate their wantonness ; they are 
Mere butterflies that sport them in the sun 
Of license, dying at the feel of night, 
Wherein are stars that search the soul. 
Zuleika. 

My mistress, 



24 Rahab 

What means this change has come upon thee, so 
Killing thy taste for gladness ? 
Rahab. 

Hast thou heard, 
My girl, of a great people that men say 
Do gather round us and will come to conquer 
This populous city ? 

ZULEIKA. 

Moloch make them ashes ! 
By name called Israelites : a mighty folk 
That worship one strange god — 
Rahab. 

Strong with His strength. 
Zuleika, hark. Last night I had a dream, 
Being o'erwatched and weary. In my sleep 
I stood upon the battlements, and lo ! 
It seemed this town was razed to the ground, 
With all its peoples and its palaces 
Prone, and its erstwhile buzz of traffic still. 
And then, upon the leavings of our life 
(All happened as a mist before my gaze) 
Arose fair buildings, and the sound of prayer; 



Rahab 25 

And priests did chant Jehovah — such the 

name — 
And like a flash I knew it for the truth 
And fell in worship : for his realm was pure 
And high (bends closer); and then, Zuleika, 

stranger yet — 

Zuleika. 
What is it, lady? How thy colour pales! 

Rahab. 
I heard the sound of singing, and methought 
My name was spoken : out of empty air, 
A voice declared that Rahab should become 
Fruitful, and in the fulness of long time 
Honoured to unborn ages ; then there came, 
As if all trumpets made of men were melted 
In one bright blast that shook the very stars, 
A wondrous noise, — a light, — and I awoke 
Trembling; since when all ribaldry and lust 
Sicken me, and I know that Israel 
Is destined to succeed us. 

Zuleika. 

This is strange; 



26 Rahab 

But, mistress, surely but an idle dream 
Born of some feasting — out of mere excess 
Of pleasure. 

Rahab. 
Nay, my heart beats otherwise. 
Zuleika. 
Some conjuror hath fooled thee ; 'tis their trade 
To cozen women ; — how may doom like that 
Despoil our Rahab ! 

Rahab. 
Think not, girl, of me; 
Think of our birth-stead, think of Jericho ; 
This city of the moon-gods, in a plain 
Far-famous for its tilth ; her date-palms rise 
Under a sky that changes, hour by hour, 
From spangled red to turquoise, and from opal 
To the gold-blue of night. How can we die ? 

Zuleika. 
It is a lovely land. 

Rahab. 

Proud are we, too, 
In traffic maritime : our traders fare 



Rahab 27 

Loaden with costly stuffs and purple dyes 
Phoenician ; merchant-men seek out our wares, 
Our goldsmiths and our silversmiths have art 
Most excellent — 

[Knock on door; both startled. 
Rahab motions to Zuleika to 
open it. Latter draws aside cur- 
tains. Enter at the left, Sal- 
mon and Horeb, spies of 
Israel; the former is princely in 
bearing. Both seem out of 
breath. They salute the women. 
Their dress, of sombre colour, is 
sternly simple, in marked con- 
trast with the luxury-loving in- 
habitants of Jericho. They seem 
like hardy plainsmen. 
Rahab. 

Can we be ne'er alone ! 
[Rahab and Zuleika withdraw a 
little and regard the two stran- 
gers. 



28 Rahab 

ZULEIKA. 

Some wily Babylonians, sleek of tongue, 
Fooling us out of treasure. 
Rahab. 

Rather seem they 
Men of the plain, girt up for arduous quests. 

Salmon (to Rahab,). 
Lady, thy pardon. We are travellers, 
Our home beyond the river : footsore, starved, 
We crave but food and drink, an hour of rest, 
Ere we take up our journey. 

Rahab (to Zuleikaj. 

Fetch in food 
And drink. 

[Zuleika goes out. 

As strangers, ye are welcome here. 
My name is Rahab. 

Salmon. 
Lady, mine is Salmon, 
And this is Horeb. Marvellous the land 
That breeds such women, large of heart, I see, 



Rahab 29 

And lovely as the desert's dim mirage 
To one half dead for water. 

[Re-enter Zuleika, two slaves fol- 
lowing with food and drink, 
which is placed at left back; the 
slaves then retire. 
Rahab. 

Pray eat, good sirs. 
Your looks are haggard. 

[Both sit and eat. Salmon looks 
repeatedly at Rahab; Horeb 
is also struck by her beauty. 
Rahab and Zuleika confer 
together; then Rahab goes to- 
wards the window, and Salmon 
joins her. Zuleika and Horeb 
together at the table. 
Horeb. 

Fair thy mistress is ; 
Fairer her handmaiden. 

Zuleika. 

In love and war, 



30 Rahab 

All men are one : alike for fond or fierce, 
Alien, and those of Jericho. 
Horeb. 

Nay, nay, 
In war and love my countrymen are swift 
As dread monsoons that cloud the eye of day 
And bury it in sand. 

Zuleika. 

But fickle, like 
Mid-desert fountains, dry when most the need 
Of living water. 

Horeb. 
Wine thou art, not water. 
[ Tries to seize her. 
Rahab 
(to Salmon,). 
Thou art sufficed : then I will leave thee. 
Salmon. 

Stay! 
Leave me not yet. Lady, there is a thirst 
Not of the body, but whereby the soul 
Is mad for drink. Now in thine eyes I quench 



Rahab 31 

That torture, and thy presence makes me strong. 
Stay, that both soul and body nourished be. 

[Rahab halts reluctantly; then 
seats, herself, while ZuleiKA 
goes up stage with Horeb. 
Faint sound of horn heard out- 
side. Salmon starts at it, and 
hastens to confer with Horeb, 
who tries to hold him back. 
Salmon. 
Nay, hold me not : it is our only chance 
To gain her goodwill ; else like dogs we die. 
And, by our tribe, I love her ! 
Horeb. 

By our tribe, 
That is no marvel, for she breeds men's love 
As rivers run and grass grows. 
Salmon 
(comes quickly to Rahab,). 

We are men 
Of Israel, across the Jordan sent 
By Joshua, great leader of our folk, 



32 Rahab 

To spy the land. Yon horn means danger, 

death 
To us, unless thou haply hidest us twain 
From capture. 

Rahab. 
Treason? Traitors in my house? 
Summon the guard! 

[Horeb and Zuleika, who are 
seated, at the rear, rise. 

Salmon. 
Hear me a moment more. 
Rumour hath mumbled of a certain maid 
Of Jericho — Rahab by name — her life — 

Rahab (aside). 
Ah, God, her life! 

Salmon. 
Late-turned to holy things, 
Because our God calls to her soul of souls 
With winsome words, yet strong: when that I 

learned 
How this house harboured her, — all desperate, 



Rahab 33 

Hard-hunted, nigh to doom, my comrade here 
And I knew this our only chance: we knocked; 
Thou knowest the rest; I hoped that Israel's 

God 
Would bid thee do a deed should save our lives 

And build his glory. 

Rahab 
(agitated). 

Yea, and build my shame — 
My everlasting shame ! Think you this land 
Means nothing to me — home, and kin, and 

friends, 
Bound by a thousand blood-ties, set at naught, 
And all for what? Two chance-come stranger 

men 
Would raze my city, proud among her palms, 
And set an alien people, where of old, 
From immemorial times the Canaanites 
Have lived at quiet !— 'Twere an outlaw deed 1 
[Horn louder outside. 
Horeb. 
Danger, Prince Salmon ! Danger 1 



34 Rahab 

Salmon. 

'Tis the guards ! 
Haply, O lady, I may seem to speak 
But for myself, — my country, and my cause. 
But I have looked upon thy face, — none such 
In Israel ! — fed me at thy gaze : I beg 
Now, not for me, but thee — 

Rahab. 
What mean'st thou ? Speak I 

Salmon. 
It is ordained by God, through Joshua, 
This Jericho shall fall by fire and sword. 
For seven days — so spake the Lord of Hosts 
To Joshua — the city shall be compassed ; 
But on the seventh, it shall come to pass 
Seven trumpets of rams' horns shall blow 
Long blasts, and Jericho's so mighty walls 
Fall flat, and all thy doomed folk go down 
To utter desolation. — Save us two, 
That we may carry back the news, and thou 
And all thy kin shall be passed o'er, alone, 
Of all the place: this, by my faith, I swear! 



Rahab 35 

Rahab 

(wonderingly) . 
An horn blast? Not a touch of mortal blows, 
And our deep-founded walls, massy and ancient, 
Shall crumble like the plaything of a child? 

Salmon. 
Even so. 

Rahab. 
How may my house, now firmly set 
Here on the wall, escape such overthrow 
And ruin? 

Salmon. 
Miracle to miracle 
Added : thy house and its foundation wall 
Shall stand unhurt, even as thy family 
Shall unharmed hide. 

Rahab 
(as if to herself). 

My kin, my helpless mother, 
My old, grey father, and the cosset-lamb, 
My sister, she — there's torture in thy tongue ! 



36 Rahab 

Salmon. 
I ask it, too, — because I love thee, Rahab; 
Would save thee for myself, — not for our God 
Alone, but with the worship of my body 
Consecrate to high uses. 

Rahab 

(slowly, wonderingly). 

Thou dost love ? 
Ah, wert thou of my folk — 

Salmon. 

Be thou of mine! 
Thou shall be mine, until the end of days. 

[He approaches, as if to lay hands 
on her. 

Rahab. 
I am dazed. — Nay, touch me not, not like the 
others. 

[She suddenly kneels to him. 
Lay thy two hands upon my hair : the first 
Caress in years that lacks of fierce desire, 
And feels like tenderness. I know a virtue 






Rahab 37 

Went forth from thee to me: the spokesman 

thou 
Of thy great God. 

Salmon. 

And thy true lover, Rahab ! 
(The horn winds again.) 
Again the horn ! What is thy will to do? 

[Takes a jewel from a girdle at his 
side. 
Here is a gem of talismanic worth, 
Long in my keeping; treasure it as life 
Is treasured. 

Rahab. 
How it throbs with luminous lights ! 
Salmon. 
The graver graved it cunningly, and set 
A wondrous word thereon : Kismet — 'tis fate — 
Token that we are plighted, e'en though war 
Divide our peoples. 

Rahab 
(looking at the gem). 

'Tis a gift of price: 



38 Rahab 

A white great pearl ! I lay it on my heart. 

Salmon. 
Thy loveliness shall warm it. Legend saith 
Its lustre dims if she who wears it wavers 
From stedf ast faith ; give it me pure again, 
Sweet with thy bosom, all its white undimmed 
In life or death. (The horn sounds again.) The 
horn sounds nearer, love ! 
Rahab 
(to both men). 
Hark you. Take yonder way up to the roof. 
There lie you down beneath the flax. I'll send 
The guards a face-about. — You must not take 
The river way; the fords are hazardous; 
Now is the barley harvest, and the Jordan 
Full to o'erflowing, and her banks do lave 
The land on either side for fruitful miles, 
Kissing it into bloom ; hence, must you 'scape 
North, to the mountains. From the wall I'll 
hang 

[Looks about, snatches a red cord 
from one of the idols. 



Rahab 39 

This scarlet cord ; thereby you may descend 
Amidst the trees — and so, free, and away 1 

Salmon. 
My portion death, if I this deed forget. 
Hear me, Almighty God ! That self-same cord, 
Hung from thy dwelling when the siege is hot, 
All Israel pressing close on Jericho, 
Shall be the sacred sign to spare this house. 
Let not one soul go forth from out thy door, 
For whoso goes, shall die. Keep thou within ; 
My oath is sworn. Dear, we shall meet again 
Beneath the cypresses, under the stars ! 

[Horn close at hand; knocking at 
door. Rahab hurries them off 
at the right. Knocking contin- 
ues. She hands Zuleika the 
red cord. 
Rahab. 
See that the cord is hung. 

[Exit Zuleika, after the spies. 
[Rahab goes to the opposite en- 
trance, draws curtains back, 



4<d Rahab 

opens door. Enter Zeman, and 
half a dozen soldiers. 

Zeman. 

No sign of them ! 
Lady, we seek two spies of Israel 
Were seen to creep this way, nor go not hence : 
Men desperate, and dangerous to the weal. 

Rahab. 

Wore one, the larger of the two, a tunic 
Tufted with purple? 

[Re-enter Zuleika, goes up stage, 
and stands looking at Rahab. 

Zeman. 

'Tis reported so. 
Rahab (looking qucstioningly at Zuleika, who 

nods). 
The men but lately left my door; they asked 
Straitly for bread and water, then made off 
By the right river path — thou canst not miss 
them. 



Rahab 41 

Zeman. 
(suspicious and hesitating). 
Lady, I would have warrant of thy word : 
Thy way of life is talked of. 
Rahab. 

Very like. 
Convince thee. (Shows King's signet.) Look, 
the Signet of the King ! 

[Zeman bends knee, kisses the Sig- 
net, and withdraws as he came. 

ZULEIKA. 

The scarlet cord gleams from the window ledge. 
Mistress, what hast thou done? 
Rahab. 

O girl, in truth, 
I scarcely know. Meseems that I obey 
The Dream, the Vision. — Zeman have I foiled. 
The men must take the mountain pass, there hide 
Till search is o'er. 

ZULEIKA. 

O Rahab ! the poor land ! 



42 Rahab 

Rahab. 
Cease, cease, thy words are stabs! Canst thou 

not see 
I do it for the God of Israel? 
Or was it for my kinsmen ? So I think. 
My head goes round. — Nay, nay, I will not lie I 
"Beneath the cypresses, under the stars" .... 
I did it for my love, my love, my love ! 

[Rahab draws the pearl from her 
bosom, and kisses it, as curtain 
goes down. Sounds of trumpet 
without, growing fainter as pur- 
suit of the spies dies in the dis- 
tance. 






Curtain. 



ACT II. 



Now Jericho was straitly shut up, because of 
the children of Israel; none went out and none 
came in. Joshua vi. i. 



Act II. 

THIRST day of the siege. A superb 
J. afternoon in the garden of Rahab. A 
great central path leads up stage to steps by 
which one surmounts the wall from the city; 
richly chased metal seats about; flower- 
bordered side-paths, giving left on Rahab' s 
house, right on wall Tropical plants, 
idols of the gods in bronze and ivory amidst 
shrubbery. Effect of elevation above city, 
which glitters picturesquely in distance. 
Sounds outside from time to time implying 
disorder and danger. 
Curtain discovers RAHAB sitting in a sad 
lethargy on metal seat. Zuleika, in the 
background, peers through palms, towards 
the city, then comes down and joins Rahab. 
Zuleika. 
But yesterday, music and dance were rife, 

45 



46 Rahab 

And revel. Now, no sounds of singing come 
From out the city : 'tis a woful change. 
Our house is like a sepulchre. 
Rahab. 

The King 
Bade me to cease from pleasure. I obey: 
My father's wish is sacred. 

ZULEIKA. 

Who would dream 
That trouble brooded o'er a day so fair ! 

Rahab. 
'Tis wonderful ; such weather should be sung 
To sound of lutes. 

[// faint sound from the city. 
Zuleika. 
The city murmurs and moans. 

Rahab 

(dreamily). 

Sweet smells that come from gardens always 

seem 
As tokens there are spirits dwelling there 
Better than mortal folk. I wonder, girl, 



Rahab 47 

Hath Israel such odours? — Fancy-monger! .... 
How the birds sing ! Siege and the havoc of war 
They rest above; their eyrie is the air, 
The trees their citadels and homes of peace. 

Zuleika. 
How canst thou babble of the birds! Thou 

hearest 
The gates assailed? 

Rahab. 

I marvel at myself. 
I am as one that, desperately calm, 
Sits quiet o'er an earthquake; here am I 
Spent with my father-grief and riven by love, 
And fear, and hope — prating of gardens. — 

Fool ! (Rises.) 
How long ago the messenger went forth ! 
'Tis time my kinsfolk came : go, look again, 
Zuleika. 

Zuleika. 
They have never come before; 
Maybe they will not now. 



48 Rahab 

Rahab 
(bitterly). 

Thou speakest truth! 
Why should they come, indeed? I left them, 

killed 
Their pride in me. But Asenath and mother 
Are women, and I think that they will come 
Out of pure pity; and my father, led 
By the King's signet, for I set the seal 
Deep in the wax, and he will deem me one 
The ruler favours and hath whispered some 
State secret, — drugged by potions from love's 

cup. 
What seest thou ? Aught of them? 
Zuleika. 
(looking off at the right). 

They come, they come — 
Thy mother and thy sister! 
Rahab. 

But my sire, 
He will not here, he shuns my house of mirth. 
My father must be saved ; I hear the words 



Rahab 49 

Of Salmon ever : "Let no soul go forth 
From out thy doors, for whoso goes shall die." 

[Enter, at the right, Rahab's 
mother, Amorah, and sister, 
Asenath. They stand timidly 
at entrance, looking about as if 
in an unwonted place. Rahab 
hastens to embrace both, show- 
ing especial tenderness for Ase- 
nath. 

Asenath 
(falteringly) . 
Rahab, thou bad'st us 

Rahab. 

Dear ones, welcome here; 
Welcome, my dear ones, welcome to my house. 

Amorah. 
Thy father might not come 

Rahab. 

Yea, yea, I know. 
He shuns me, shames to call me child. O God ! 



50 Rahab 

Amorah. 
Affairs of state compel him. .... 

Rahab. 

Cursed he not 
His daughter? 

Asenath. 
We would listen to no curse ! 
Amorah. 
He spake harsh words; but grief, not anger, lies 
At bottom. 

Asenath. 
But we knew thy heart was good; 
Thou sentest for us in kindness — 
Rahab. 

Oh, in love, 
In utter love. (Seats them at a settle. To Zu- 
LEIKA, who goes out at the left.) 

Let them have wine and food 
Prepared within ; sweet drink and dainties too. 
Dear hearts, I bade you come that I might feast 
Mine eyes upon you; we must talk, we three, 



Rahab 51 

About the city, sore beleaguered 
With perils. 

Amorah. 
Aye, how terrible ! Thy father 
Grows haggard with it; hardly have I slept 
A wink these three nights, what with ominous 

sounds 
And pitfalls lurking in the open streets. 

Rahab. 
Poor mother! Thou must needs have rest; and 

now 
Within my pleasaunce thou may'st safely lie. 
The siegers gather before the gates of brass 
Far on the city's further side; and here 
We may look forth and glimpse the ways of war, 
Our sight framed in by birds' nests. 
[ZuLEIKA re-enters. 
Amorah. 

Thank thee, child. 
Rahab. 
Zuleika, lead the lady to my chamber, 
And let the door be guarded : thou must bide 



52 Rahab 

The night : I cannot let thee go till morn. 

Nay, till the day that Jericho is doomed. 

(Aside.) 

[Zuleika conducts Amorah off, 
into Rahab's house. The sis- 
ters sit, Rahab drawing Ase- 
NATH tenderly to her. 

Rahab 

(to Amorah, as she goes of). 
Sleep tranquilly, my mother. — Little one, 
I dared not tell our mother, but to thee 
I will, for I would have thee understand 
Why so insistently my messengers 
Have urged thy coming, called my kinsfolk to 
This haunt of license. 

Asenath. 

Sister, say not so! 
Dear Rahab, where thou goest is no shame. 

Rahab. 
I doubt our mother might disburden all 
My pack of news : she's waxen old, of late, 



Rahab 53 

The years have loosed her tongue : my father's 

wrath 
Were loud and bitter, should I open wide 
My heart, and spill its tidings. Listen, dear, 
And let my words be buried in thy soul 
As in a tomb. 

Asenath. 
I will. O Rahab, I 
Tremble, I know not wherefore. 

Rahab. 

Hush, and hear. 
'Twas yesterweek; two spies of Israel 
Knocked at my door ; from them I took the tid- 
ings 
That warrior folk who dwell beyond the Jordan, 
Led by their mighty captain, Joshua, 
Would soon lay siege before this Jericho 
And raze it to the ground. 

Asenath. 

Thou told' st the King— 
Thou warned' st our father? 



54 Rahab 

Rahab. 

Nay, I hid the spies. 
Asenath 
(draws back in astonishment). 
Thou hid'st our enemies? 
Rahab. 

'Twas even so. 
For I obey the living God; besides, 
I loved the leader of the twain, a man 
Noble, of princely mien. 

Asenath. 

Thou loved'st — a foe ? 
I scarce can understand .... but it was 

right, 
If Rahab chose to do it! 

Rahab. 

Full of faith! 
My Asenath, this city of our birth 
Sinning light-heartedly beneath bright skies, 
Is doomed — not by the hand of Joshua, 
But of high God. — I saw it in a dream. 

[Rises, recites as if in a trance. 



Rahab 55 

Our idols topple, luxury and lust 

Rule us, the very capitals upon 

Our temples — whLe pomegranates laced with 

leaves — 
Are evil things, bespeak our ribaldry, 
Symbols of shame. This Jericho must fall .... 
Must fall. . . . 

Asenath. 

Oh, then our ruin is at hand 1 
Why should our gods forsake sweet Jericho? 

Rahab. 
Because her soul is dead; her body breathes 
Alone. I have been part of it, my flesh 
Partook of this corruption ; I must save 
My soul; — it is a call that rings from God 
Above all city claims. If any place 
Help not the spirit in its climb toward God, 
'Tis no true mother. 

ASENATH. 

I know not of him, 
This God thou namest, but I soothly know 
That Rahab is my sister whom I love, 



56 Rahab 

My Beautiful, whose words are wise and good, 
Likewise her ways. 

Rahab. 

Sweet, I will tell thee more : 
I let a scarlet cord hang from the ledge, 
And when the soldiers of the King were gone 
Who sought the spies, straightway I lied to them. 
The two of Israel escaped thereby; 
But first they sware, whenso they should return, 
My house alone of all among the dwellings 
In Jericho, should 'scape the fire and sword, 
That self-same cord the sign. 

ASENATH. 

Oh, now I see, 
Thou bad'st us here — 

Rahab. 
Since here is the sole place 
Of safety, when our strongholds bite the dust. 
These men of Israel are conquerors, 
Sparing nor men nor women; nay, they kill 
The old and young, and every manner of beast — 
The sword-edge eats them. 



Rahab $7 

ASENATH 

(huddling up to Rahab j. 

Rahab, can it be? 
Oh, I will stay within, and so must thou; 
But father, — he — 

Rahab. 
Will forth on things of state, 
Unless by sleight we hold him; thou must help. 
They shall remain indoors; when Salmon spake 
(Salmon he's called, I did not tell his name), 

"Let not a single soul go forth 
Across thy threshold, for who goes, shall die." 
And he will keep his promise, none shall die 
Within our house, — though he, my warrior- 
prince, 
Haply may perish, haply long ere this 
Forgets the moodful maid he sware it to, 
My transient face slipt from his memory, 
As to a seaman fades some obscure cape 
That melts in mist.. . . . No, he hath 

faithful eyes — 
Will keep his oath ! 



58 Rahab 

ASENATH. 

Sweet sister, weep not so. 
True lovers do not change. 

Rahab. 

Dear innocence ! 
My soul has long been soiled ; so, sacrifice 
Befits me : when the stormy host«s with rams 
Batter the walls, and shrill the war-horse neighs, 
To make the compact sure, then I will go 
Out at the door to bid them stay their hands 
Against my dear ones safely housed inside. 
Salmon, — my God ! 

ASENATH. 

Rahab, thou shalt not do it! 
Thou must be safe for Salmon, he would guard 
Thy dear head, sacredly, thou must not die. 
I know our gods cry out for sacrifice, 
Even of women and babes. The Jordan flood 
Murmurs strange stories of the wretched ones 
Doomed there to drown, or fed to Moloch's 

maw; 
So old nurse Reba told me many a time, 



Rahab 59 

Paling my blood. But thou art dear and good, 
And once a mage did come from far beyond 
The river, strangely garbed, and at our house 
He lodged; and when I said good-bye to him 
Early at morn, he looked full fatherly 
Upon me, and he said : 

"My little one, 
Be good, for nothing evil e'er befalls 
The good." 

And thou art good, my sister, so 
Not meant to die. 

Rahab 
(dreamily). 

Salmon was tall, and wore 
A kind of grace about him like a garment: 
He drew my heart. . . . "Under the cy- 
presses, 
Beneath the stars!" .... 

ASENATH. 

It seems like the old time, 
When we did sleep together; 'twas thy wont 
To fold me close from cold, and tell me tales 



60 Rahab 

Of heroes, and I thrilled to hear thee speak 
So wondrously : and then — I know not why — 
Thou vanished, and the happy days were done. 
They told me thou wert worldly, wished no more 
To see us — 'twas untrue : but thou wert lost 
To me, and I must do without my playmate, 
Make mine own stories, dream my dreams alone. 
But thou art here, and lov'st me. 

Rahab. 

I remember 
My father, on the very night I fled, 
Did kiss me on the brow; that one caress 
Burned through a thousand lecheries, and kept 
My tears aflow; I loved him from that hour 
Doubly. 

ASENATH. 
I, too, remember; it was Spring. 

Rahab. 
Each Spring that comes to light our dusty way, 
Is like a dream of youth, freshening a world 
Grown old and weary. 



Rahab 6i 

ASENATH. 

It is Autumn now. 
Rahab. 
Autumn, indeed. Ah, Asenath, those days 
Seem to me very die-away and dim, 
Like wind-bells in a temple, high above 
Earth's troubling, with a music thin and sweet. 
I must not dwell upon them. 

[The sound of the King's trumpets 
outside. Enter Amorah hur- 
riedly from the house. 
Amorah. 

Rahab, list! 
'Tis the King's blast. — 

Asenath 
(aside to Rahab,). 

The secret of the spies ? 
He knows — will seize us ! 

Rahab. 

Never fear of that! 
None is aware in Jericho, — unless 
Horeb should leak it like a pent-house roof. 



62 Rahab 

'Amorah. 
Displeasure not the King, — for he is quick 
To wreak revenge. 

Rahab. 

His King is on my side — 
The august King of Kings. (Aside.) — Mother, 
fear naught. 

[Enter Nathaniah impetuously, 
at the centre, followed by a 
guard of half a dozen soldiers 
of Jericho. He checks himself 
on seeing Rahab. 
Nathaniah. 
I come to one hath never passed our lintel 
Since the dark day she left it to our shame. 

Rahab 
(approaches him with appeal in her eyes; her 

voice is precative). 
But I rejoice that thou art come. 
Nathaniah. 

Stand back ! 
I seek thy sister and thy mother. 



Rahab 63 

Rahab. 

I 
Am likewise sister, daughter, — and have begged 
To have thee here — 

Nathaniah. 

There's menace in the air, 
The city shrinks and trembles : hostile spears 
Are at her gates: famine, fire, and sword 
Haply to-morrow overwhelm our homes. 
Unlucky Canaan ! Would our youngest born 
Were dutiful ! 'Twere comfort in this stress, 
This carnage and confusion. 
Amorah. 

Say not so. 
Father, vent not harsh words ; her heart is good ; 
Surely she sent for us in kindness, hath 
Great news, of moment to our welfare. 
Asenath. 

Aye, 
Rahab is true, will help us. 

Nathaniah. 

Day by day 



64 Rahab 

Thou revellest as a wanton midst thy mates, 
While this proud city is in travail sore, 
And I beside the King to steer her course. 
Curses upon thee ! Barren be thy womb, 
Milkless thy breasts ! Unwillingly I came, 
Unwilling stay. 

Amorah 
(going to a statue of Baal and kneeling). 
Ye gods, forgive our child, 
And pity Jericho. 

Rahab. 

I own my sin, 

My giddiness; but I have bid thee come 

In love and yearning. I would save thee ! 

Nathaniah 

(contemptuously) . 

How 
May she save others, could not save herself? 

Rahab. 
Because she knows the anguish of the lost ! 
Nathaniah 
(to soldiers, who fall back at his word). 



Rahab 65 

I'll hear her : haply through some lover's blab 
She learns the enemy's gin. 
Rahab. 

Dear ones, I speak 
Like any child. 

Nathaniah. 

Thou that hast borne no child 
To take our name, and prop our failing years ! 
Rahab 
(solemnly). 
That time shall come. 

[Music plays softly, repeating main 
motif in the song sung by Lela 
in Act I., a barbaric, minor 
strain of mingled wildness and 
sweetness. 
I bring a sweet, strange thing; 
I carry not a child, but a great thought ; 
Big am I with its burden. 

Nathaniah. 

Bring it forth. 
Women like thee, 'tis said, look longingly 



66 Rahab 

On babes at breast — that cannot be their own. 

Rahab. 

Aye, that is sooth : Motherhood beckons me 
Beyond a mist of blood, like a white flame ! 

[Looks a warning to Asenath. 
This Jericho is lost! 

Nathaniah. 

Traitress, beware! 
My sword will leap to light! Our walls still 

stand, 
And no man knows our fate. 

Amorah 

(goes to an idol). 

Oh, let us bow 
Unto our gods, since they are masterful. 

[Rahab rushes to her, and over- 
throws the idol from its pedes- 
tal; it crashes on to the floor. 
The others instinctively draw 
away. 



Rahab 67 

Rahab. 
Bend not the knee : these are the shrines of doom 
Have dragged us down to slaughter and to death. 

Nathaniah. 
So! Impious, too? Love-toy and idol-breaker! 
This land of ours is specially watched o'er 
By Baal and his consort Ashtoreth, 
Giver of wine, great goddess of the Sun. 
Darest thou mock at these ? 
Rahab. 

Father, I dare. 
The sea hath wider ways than all the lands, 
Vaster her realm : beyond the outmost isles 
The old eternal wash. So of the soul. 
Back of these idols broods the living One. 
There is a God, beyond the Jordan now, 
But speedily to come and cleanse this sty — 
In whose right hand I rest. 

Nathaniah 
(sneeringly). 

What god is this, 
A ruler over brothels ? 



68 Rahab 

Rahab. 

Father, scan 
My face. Is there brute passion graved upon it? 
I speak because — a vision bade me see 
Our city's downfall. 

Nathaniah. 
Vision? What, and where ? 

Rahab. 
Last night, for the third time, a solemn dream, 
And our destruction shown as in a ball 
Of crystal, clear, irrevocable, my house 
Alone left upright. 

Nathaniah. 

Whims and fancies all ! 
No time for further chatter. (To Amorah and 
Asenath .) Let us hence ! 

Rahab 
(with rising excitement). 
Leave thou these two behind, and come thyself 
Within the week. I . . . . may have 
pregnant news 



Rahab 69 

Upon the seventh day of siege . . . such 

news 
That thou wilt covet it, if it should chance 
That Jericho's sore-straitened. 
Nathaniah 
(signals to soldiers to follow). 

Let thy news 
Be more than dream-built. I will to the walls. 
Stay ye, if so ye will ; my time is wasted 
In talk — farewell ! 

[He goes out at centre down the 

wall, followed by his guard. 
[Rahab sinks into a seat, hiding 
her face in her hands. ZULEIKA 
enters hastily from the house. 

ZULEIKA. 

Lady, the Israelite is here, would have 
An audience. 

Rahab. 
The Israelite? 'Tis he. (J side.) 
'Tis Salmon ! Bid him in. 

(Goes to others.) Leave me now. 



JO R A H A B 

I . . . . must see one who brings me se- 
cret tidings 
Of pith for Jericho. 

[Hurries them into the house; then 
returns and nervously makes her 
dress and hair seemly. 

He comes, perchance, 
To make me twofold sure he will remember 
His words. His life's in peril, for the siege 
Is nigh ! But his high God, and mine, will watch 
And ward away all evil. 

[Zuleika ushers in Horeb from 
the house. 

Horeb! Thou? 
Horeb. 
Yea, lady, — I have come — 
Rahab. 

Doubtless to see 
Zuleika, though she may not wait thee now. 

[Signs for Zuleika to withdraw, 
and the girl goes out towards 
the house. 



Rahab 71 

HOREB. 



Nay, I am for her mistress ! 
Rahab. 



Not for me ? 



HOREB. 

Even so, girl. (Thrusts his hand into his bosom.) 
I bear within my breast — 

Rahab. 
A message ? Word from Salmon ? 
Horeb. 

Nay, love's word ! 
Thy lover-lord's too busy with the spears 
To dote on thee, and call thee dear: our hosts 
Come but free-booting into Jericho, 
And claim war-baggage: girls and gold and 

gems, 
And wines and scented woods. 

Rahab. 

A dastard lie ! 

Horeb 
(Noises heard from the city). 



72 Rahab 

Tigress, be tamed! Hark, to the shuddering 

shock 
Of broadswords; all the winy air 
Hums like a mighty hive of golden bees 
With arrows. Buoyed by the dream of thee, 
My love put winged sandals to my feet, 
Charming me hither. Fly, ere 'tis too late 1 

Rahab. 
Fly? Not with thee? 

Horeb. 

Who else can aid thee now? 
I know a way that winds far underground, 
Then threads the hills and, twisting serpentine, 
Issues at the very foot of Lebanon ; 
Above are odorous cedars, a meet place 
For trothing; let us leave this ill-starred city 
And shout our loves under the shining stars 
From a high hill ! 

Rahab. 
We build our altars there; 
Nor use such places for flesh-fondlings, dog! 



Rahab 73 

Back to thy master and thy duty; I 
Am not for thee. 

Horeb. 

Thou art for Israel. 
Thou said'st it, and I love thee. 

Rahab. 

Love me — thou! 
Call not lust love. Go, fight; thy country's cause 
Summons her sons, brave in the battle press ! 

Horeb. 
Love me thou shalt ! What more can Salmon do 
Than I, his mate? 

Rahab. 

Thou never read'st my soul ; 
Thou art a stranger — go! 

Horeb. 

Leave thee, alone? 
Not for a wedge of gold whose worth in weight 
Is fifty shekels. — To the mountain, love ! 
[Seizes her roughly. 

Rahab. 
No man shall handle me save — 



74 R A H A B 

HOREB 

(laughing; kisses her). 

Horeb — so ! 
Rahab. 
Wouldst thou then hale me to thy trysting bed ! 
This is not conquering, but thieving, robber ! 

Horeb. 
I come of a race of robbers ! Arabs they 
Who raped the harems of their foes, and swept 
Like wind upon slim steeds across the desert, 
Or camped with riotings beside some stream 
Whose waters cooled their drunken bodies : now 
I would reave thee ! 

Rahab 
(struggling). 

Thou art so strong, so strong. 
O Horeb, pity me ! I am a woman 
Of tempest nature ; my unruly blood 
Leaps madly to thy passion ; — but my soul, 
My soul cries, Nay. 

Horeb. 

To Lebanon, my love. 
Rahab of Jericho! 



Rahab j$ 

Rahab 
(tears herself from him). 
Not while I live 
To struggle and to hate ! 

Horeb. 

Thy peacock pride 
Shall wilt, if I but open my sealed lips, 
Tell of the red cord ! 

Rahab. 

What, tale-bearer too I 
Are thus thy women won, most wonderful 
Of tattlers ? 

Horeb. 
Tattler, traitor? Thou shalt rue 
The arrogant words. I go to spread the news 
Shall land thee in a dungeon — 

[Horeb turns to go, and is con- 
fronted by Ammon, who enters 
from the wall and blocks the 
way. 

Rahab 
(rushing to him). 

Save me, Ammon \ 



j6 Rahab 

Ammon. 
What's this? An alien? 

Rahab. 

Yea, an Israelite. 
A spy, a traitor ! 

Ammon. 
Traitor? Then he dies. (Draws sword.) 
Horeb. 
Not till I tell thee — 

[Zuleika, who has entered from 
the house just before, ap- 
proaches from behind and 
places her hand over Horeb's 
mouth. 
Zuleika. 

Tell it in thy grave, 
False son of Israel, unclean hanger-on ! 
The maid forsworn, thou wouldst the mistress 
woo. 

Rahab 
(imperiously). 
Enough, Zuleika. Ammon, make him dumb; 
His words defile. 



Rahab 77 

Ammon. 

So, die, thou dog. 
[Stabs Horeb. As the latter falls, 
Rahab with her hand to her 
heart sinks into a seat. 

He's done. 
Such deeds are nought to do for thee, for thee, 
Empress of passion, royal Rahab! 
[Tries to embrace her. 
Rahab. 

Fly! 
Dally not here. Thy post is at the walls. 
Jericho calls ! 

[After a moment's hesitation, he 

rushes forth, down the wall, 

into the city. 

Rahab (taking Salmon's gift from her bosom). 

The pearl gleams white; still white 

My thought of him ! Salmon, our secret's safe ! 

[She sits, right. ZuLElKA stands 

with knit brows, looking down 

at the dead body of Horeb. 



78 Rahab 



Again the music plays the minor 
strain from Rahab' s song, with 
triumph in it, yet unrest and 
struggle. 






Curtain. 



ACT III. 



And it came to pass on the seventh day that 
they arose early, about the dawning of the day, 

and compassed the city And it 

came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests 
blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the peo- 
ple, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city. 
And the city shall be accursed, even it and all that 
are therein; only Rahab the harlot shall live, she 
and all that are with her in the house, because she 
hid the messengers that we sent. 

Joshua vi. 15-17. 



Act III. 

rHE scene is Rahab's living room as in 
, Act I., on the morning of the last 
day of the siege. The fountain, which was 
playing before, is silent. From the city 
come sounds of the siege; at intervals the 
clash of weapons, thud of battering rams, 
and trumpet peals, all toned down by the 
distance. As the curtain rises, Zuleika en- 
ters from the left rapidly, and goes to the 
latticed opening, peering forth; then she 
goes to Asenath, who lies on the floor, 
cowed and frightened by the ominous 
sounds from the city. 

Zuleika. 
The clangour of spears is keen ! My little bird, 
Fret not, thy mother's here, and Rahab, too. 

[Enter Rahab from the left, vi- 
brant with excitement. 

81 



82 Rahab 

Rahab. 
No sign of father yet? Hang out the cord; 
It is the seventh day : it must be pendent 
There from the lattice-work, plainsightedly, 
For all the hosts to see. 

Zuleika. 
[Takes cord from behind a curtain 
which hangs before the door, 
and busies herself tying it in a 
conspicuous place in the win- 
dow. 
The wounded in the garden lie about 
In writhen heaps; maimed by the missiles hurled 
Over the walls, they groan and sicken and die. 

Rahab. 
Poor riff-raff ! My heart cradles them ; and yet, 
To die is little, unless Love change Life 
Into enchantment. — Sister, thy cheek is pale. 
Zuleika, fetch her food; she hath not broke 
Her fast to-day. 

Zuleika 
(aside to Rahab,). 

Already food grows scant, 



Rahab 83 

But there is wine, and fruit. (To Asenath) 
Come, dew flower, come, Rahab would have 
thee eat. 

[Zuleika bustles about the prep- 
aration of the fruit and wine, 
which are placed at a small hand 
table. 

Asenath 
(plaintively). 

I watch and watch, 
Until my sight burns like a ball of fire, 
But can see little. — Will not father come? 

Rahab. 
Verily, will he. — Thou must eat, and rest; 
Thy lissome body sags for lack of sleep, 
Thy fawn-eyes droop so heavy. 
Asenath. 

I can rest 
Beside thee, Rahab, anywhere. 
Rahab. 

Dear heart, 
We'll eat and drink. What wilt thou, tiny one ? 



84 Rahab 

Pomegranates? They are coloured like thy 
mouth. 

[She waits on Asenath, who par- 
takes but languidly, and makes 
a pretext of eating herself. Then 
she goes to the window and 
looks forth again in evident anx- 
iety. Sounds of increased tu- 
mult afar of. 
Zuleika 
(going to the windows). 
No sign of him ! Thou peerest like an eagle. 

Rahab. 
Yea, I am a she-eagle from her eyrie 
Sweeping wide spaces with an unglad eye; 
Wing-clipt, yet fain of air-adventure. — I 
Must forth to seek my father, lure him here 
In some-wise. Ere the sundown, shall the blast 
Of trumpets blow, and riot trample red 
Our white streets: he, a marked man of the 

kingdom, 
Slain like a common slave! 



Rahab 85 

[She joins Asenath; Zuleika 
busies herself in the rear, near 
the window. 

When father comes, 
We two must keep him, dear, — thou knowest 

why! 
Thou specially canst do it, for his love 
For thee will draw him to our dwelling, sweet. 
Promise to hold him by these dainty arms 
Of daughter-like devotion. 

Asenath. 

I will try. 
But half afraid am I of father, for 
His bluster and big oaths ! 
Rahab. 

Bravado that ! 
Beneath, is tender-heartedness. 
Asenath. 

I know, 
And I will strive my best : how horrible 
Should father fail, not knowing the red cord 
Our amulet ! 



86 Rahab 

Rahab. 
He cannot think my house 
Inviolate, like the palace of a King; 
Nathless, his sure defence ! 

ASENATH. 

His own are here; 
He should be glad to come. 
Rahab. 

My house of joy 
A sanctuary for the driven one ! 
It passes belief, but danger levels all. 
Even a leper has a roof that guards 
From rains and crooked lightnings. 
Asenath. 

Leper, thou ? 
How canst thou say it, Rahab ! 
Rahab. 

Yet I love : 
My kin, my Salmon, and the sole great God 
Of Salmon and my dream. — My father's right. 
I am to him naught but a — Rahab, she 
Of Jericho ! 



Rahab 87 

ASENATH. 
Nay, Rahab of our name! 
I hate these tauntings that engirt thy beauty 
As serpents do a flower 

[Zuleika comes from the window, 
and whispers to Rahab. 
Rahab. 

Sister, thou 
Must go to mother. Rest thee ; I may need 
Thy sweet help later. 

[Asenath, accompanied by Zu- 
leika, goes of left; Zuleika 
tarries a moment to speak to 
Rahab. 
Zuleika. 

Ammon hastens through 
Thy cypresses ! 

Rahab. 
Bringing me precious tidings 
Shall make the path more plain. 

[Ammon rushes on from right, 
sword in hand. 






88 Rahab 

Thou comest, Ammon, 
Bearer of news ! How goes the siege, and how 
Prospers my father in the battle-press? 

Ammon. 
Evil our lot. Hardly I made my way 
Amidst the frenzy; but my errand here 
Is weighty. — Woe enough it is to leave 
Our barrier bodies at the wall, and see 
Cursed aliens conquer; but there's worse, and 

worse 
May come. 

Rahab. 
What mean'st thou ? 

Ammon. 

Jericho contains 

Traitors, of her own folk, who plan to open 

The gates by craft, and let those devils in 

To kill, despoil, and burn. 

Rahab. 

Art sure of this? 

Ammon. 
Sure as the sure damnation meted out 
To the betrayer ! 



Rahab 89 



Rahab. 
What the motive? 
Ammon. 



Gold: 



The pledge a part of all their spoils. 

[Angry sounds outside. AMMON 
goes to the window. 
Rahab 
(shaken with conflicting emotions). 

My deed — 
Yet not my deed ; for that my deed, I swear. 
Was ordered of high God. No traitor I ! 
Gods of my race, was ever woman bound 
In such fierce coil and counter-coil of Fate ! 
My father — this will crack his heart. 
Ammon 
(returns from the window). 

He dies 
Of the defenders first, after the King. 

Rahab. 
Why didst thou come to me, why fleest thou not 
Unto the palace, or amidst the bruit 



90 Rahab 

Of arms, to warn my sire, that disgrace 
May not embitter more this bitter day? 

Ammon. 
So much of trick and subterfuge prevails 
Thorough the city, that I could not come 
Within a crossbow shot of him ; they fear 
Treachery on every side, would deem that I 
Was leaguered with the foes. 

Rahab 

(suddenly) . 

Then I shall go ! 

Ammon. 
Madness ! Thou, a woman, move among 
War-demons with red-shotted eyes ? 

Rahab. 

Love-driven, 
Mere craven women dare as much as heroes ; 
And go I must. 

Ammon. 
My Rahab, stay with me, 
For we are linked in one by love and death 1 



Rahab 91 

Rahab 
(imperiously). 
Nay, be my friend; prate not of love in these 
Last hours of blood and tears. 

[She turns as if to go. 
Ammon 
(goes to window to prevent her). 

Thou must not go I 
Rahab 
(aside, moving away from him). 
Salmon hath said that Jericho shall fall : 
His God declared it: then, the city falls. 
But in fair, open battle, not by craft! 
The God of Israel must manage that! 
And I must aid my father, his big heart 
Shall never burst through me. 
[Goes to Ammon. 
Ammon. 

Rahab, thy doom — 
Rahab 
(snatches up a veil which she winds about her 
head) . 



92 Rahab 

To the King's palace or the van of warl 
I'll drag him here to safety, if it mean 
Lies, tricks, unsexing me, or death itself, 
So long as he be spared ! 

Ammon. 

It cannot be : 
Lo, Jericho is straitly shut; no man 
Goes in or out; a mere maid compass it? 

Rahab. 
No one so well as I. — Zuleika, come ! 

[Zuleika hastens in. 
Watch well o'er Asenath and mother, they 
Shall be my lures for father ; he may come 
To fetch them to a better hiding-place 
Than my frail roof fronting upon the wall. 
Ammon, I thank thee for thy news. 

Ammon. 

I go 
Beside thee! 

Rahab. 
Nay, 'tis mine to do this deed; 



Rahab 93 

I must be free of guilt toward my kin, 

To look e'en the Jehovah in the face ! (Aside.) 

Ammon. 

But I would guard thee — every path is pregnant 
With peril. 

Rahab. 

Nay, a mightier than thee 
Guards me and guides — give way! Father, to 
thee! 

[She hurries forth by the window 
on to the wall, and so down into 
the city. Ammon and Zuleika 
look after her from the lattice. 

Ammon. 

Divine daredevil ! Look, she threads the path — 
Reaches the gate .... and hurtles through 

the street 
That rocks with riot; on her head is borne 
A jug of water — she's a water-girl, 
Selling a cool salvation to parched lips. . . . 



94 Rahab 

She'll never gain her sire ! . . . Now, she 

melts 
In the multitude. . . . 

Zuleika. 

All prophecies miscarry; 
My mistress dear is lost ! 

Ammon. 

But who is yon, 
The tall, fair warrior? . . . He bears his 

sword 
Right soldierly, and seems to draw this way. 
His garb is strange. ... By all our city's 

shrines, 
An Israelite! 

[Ammon secretes himself behind a 
pillar at the left; Zuleika goes 
off opposite. Enter Salmon, 
by the window, looking swiftly 
around in search of Rahab. 
Salmon. 
Not here ? The cord is hung. 
She cannot be gone forth ! 



Rahab 95 

Ammon. 

He knows her house? 

She harbours Israel? 

{He discloses himself. 

What wouldst thou here? 

Salmon. 
I seek the mistress Rahab : haply thou 
Canst help me. 

Ammon. 
What hast thou to do with her? 
Why Israel again? 

Salmon 
(aside) . 
Again ? 

Ammon. 

Not yet 
Our walls are down ; back to thy fellow-dogs ; 
Or draw, and die! 

Salmon. 
I come not here to brawl, 
Rather to help, to save. If thou dost know 



96 Rahab 

Where Rahab bides, I pray thee, tell me now, 
And take large thanks. 

Ammon. 
So thou wouldst look upon 
The lady Rahab? 

\Mutterings swell into loud cries 
from beyond the wall: "The 
red cord, tear it down!" 

Hark, they know her sign ! 
Salmon. 
Her sign? What say'st thou ? 
Ammon 
(with marked insolence). 

Every trade may flaunt 
Some emblem: "Ho! here's rest, refreshment 

too, 
For man and beast at Rahab's wayside 

inn. 
Come one and all." 

Salmon 
(fingering his sword). 

This passes patience, sir! 



Rahab 97 

Ammon 
(mockingly). 
A myriad pities ! 

[ The cries are redoubled: "Rahab, 
pull down the cord." "Ammon, 
Ammon, the idler, the traitor, 
kill him!" 
Gods ! the rabble raves 
In a sheer frenzy ! They would glut their rage 
On her and me ! 

Salmon 
(turns to explore the house). 

Find her I will, forthright. 

Ammon. 
Thou wottest not the house, good Israelite; 
The women's quarters privy are to thee, 
While all to me is like an open hand, 
Known day — and night! 

Salmon. 
I would not foul her house 
By killing thee! 



98 Rahab 

Ammon. 

How kind and courteous ! 
I'll tell thee then, Rahab hath late gone forth, 
The bird is flown, empty the gilded cage, 
Bootless thy quest. 

Salmon. 

By Abraham's bosom, no! 
Not forth amidst the slaughtering! She hung 
The red cord, then went forth ? 

Ammon. 

A signal that 
To call thee, Jew ? I'll twist it round thy neck. 

[He goes to the lattice to pluck the 
cord from it; Ammon blocks 
the way, and draws his sword. 

Salmon. 
Touch but the cord : I run thee through. 

Ammon. 

My blood 
Needs letting. — Faugh ! A signal to a foe ! 



Rahab 99 

Salmon. 
A signal to all Israel, cur ! to spare 
Her and her house. 

{They fight; Salmon disarms Am- 
mon, and closes with him; the 
shouts beneath are repeated: 
"Rahab, the cord; we would 
have her and Ammon!" Gradu- 
ally Salmon forces Ammon 
near to the window, through it, 
and by a supreme effort, hurls 
him over the wall. A great 
shout goes up from the crowd 
below. 
Salmon 
(leaning, breathed, against the lattice and look- 
ing down at the mob). 
A brave man, though a foe : a fearful fate ! 
Mere offal midst of unclean animals. 

{Puts his hand before his eyes. 
Her splendour dazzles when I shut mine eyes, 
And see her in my dream. There was a way 



ioo Rahab 

Her hair grew off her neck; the blended beauty 
Of burnished locks and living flesh ; — I swear 
By all our altars, by the sacred ark 
Of God, that same slim neck did beckon me 
Through all the warlike web of Israel's fate, 
And made of the grim work a golden wonder ! 

[Cries outside: "Rahab, Rahab/ 
Seize her, seize her!" Then a 
piercing woman's shriek. Sal- 
mon looks forth again. 
'Tis she .... they seek to scay her . . . 

she escapes . 
Is here! 

[Rahab, breathless, her garments 
torn, rushes on to the wall, and 
through the window. 
Rahab. 
'Tis thou, Salmon ! The siege is o'er? 
Salmon. 
Nay, love, I scaled the wall, and sought thee, lest 
Thy heart should fail thee ; would make sure the 
cord 



Rahab ioi 

Was hung, thy kinsfolk safe; and more than all, 
Read in thine eyes again, O mistress mine, 
A shining welcome ! 

[Eagerly approaches her. 
Rahab. 
Stay, Lord Salmon. Love 
Sits not with present peril. I obeyed 
God's mandate, saved thy life, betrayed my 

birthplace; 
But now, when I behold it in sore straits, 
Something within me, deep at my soul's core, 
Cries out against it, and my native land 
Seems lovely in destruction — loved too late ! 
[She is shaken with sobs. 
Salmon. 
God's will, dear Rahab; and He knows each 

heart, 
Judges our doings not by what appears 
Before our fellows, but by what we strive 
To do. . . . What of thy kinsfolk? Are 

they all 
Housed safely? 



102 RAHAB 

Rahab. 

Still my father heaas the troops, 
Hearcens the King. I have but now returned 
From a vain hope : to win him here. — Should he, 
My grand old sire, die, then murder lies 
'Twixt me and thee, my one white love is dyed 
Deep crimson. 

Salmon. 
Die he shall not! I'll away 
And seek him, drag him here, if needs. 

Rahab. 

Not so. 
Strong is my faith he'll come to fetch the others, 
My sister and my mother, to some place 
He deems is danger-proof. 

Salmon. 

He is not doomed 
To die; I feel it in my soul. — O Sweet, 
Between swift lanes of arrows have I run 
Merely to look upon thy face again. 
Their snarling was a very song to me 



Rahab 103 

That seemed to say, the while they clove the air: 
"This path to her; speed on !" 

Rahab 
(with a tremulous smile). 

Thou art a poet. 
Help me to save my father I Thy reward, 
The turbulent woman in whose heart there 

strive 
A thousand passions — thine the last, and best. 
Uplift me with thy love. 

Salmon. 

God bring it so ! 
The father-love thou showest is to me 
Beautiful; so my people love their own, 
And I foresee but holier harmony 
Between us twain, in that thou guardest him 
Even as thyself. 

Rahab. 

Is this the final day 
Of Jericho, dear, sinful city? Stands 
The prophecy? 



1 04 R A H A B 

Salmon. 

Those lofty battle-birds, 
The trumpets of our leader, shall ring forth 
Their brazen menace ere the sun be set, 
And these so mighty walls go down in dust, 
A miracle ! 

Rahab. 
Marvellous thy works of war. 

Salmon. 
Armed men fore-lead our priests; and following 

after, 
The ark: and then the rereward last of all. 
So circle they the city seven times, 
Ere the trumps blow their blast. 

Rahab. 

In after years, 
Men's lips shall pity Jericho, and curse 
Rahab, the self-same breath ! 

Salmon. 

Nay, love of mine, 
A curse is on the city, but thy name 



Rahab 105 

Is destined to be chanted praisefully 
So long as faith is famed. 
Rahab. 

At least, I save 
My mother, who forgets my erstwhile guilt, 
My little sister of the lamb-like ways, 
And — grant it, God! — my father — who comes 
not! 

[Goes to window, and looks to the 
city. 

Salmon 
(drawing her away). 
I came to comfort thee — to feed mine eyes 
Upon thy face that blooms a passion-flower 
Imperially set upon a hill; 
A rose of Jericho, whose odorous buds 
Bear this town's name beyond the Red Sea's 
rim ! 4 

Rahab. 
Salmon, thy love re-makes me. In my days 
Of girlhood, I would sometimes sudden stand 
And hear about me, like an elusive voice, 



106 Rahab 

The rapture of the wide world's wordless things : 
The winds and waters, and the bird-filled sky, 
The tiny caravans that haunt the grass 
Of Summer, and God's ancient gold, the 

stars 
Then, sins came flocking and I heard it not, 
That mystic call. Of late, the Spirit again 
Of sun-bright days and nights of silver moons 
Speaks to me, and I take it for a sign 
My soul awakens. 

Salmon. 

Dear, my soul is glad. 
Rest in my love. Farewell; I come again 
With Israel's triumph-song, to claim mine own ! 
[He kneels to kiss her hand. The 
King's trumpet is heard close 
outside. Rahab rushes to the 
window. 

Rahab. 

'Tis the King's trumpeter. He comes, he 
comes — 



Rahab 107 

My father ! . . . Now be thanked my Gods, 

and thine ! 
Let him not see thee, it would craze his soul 
To meet a foe, with ruin at his gates. 
Dear Salmon, for my sake, leave not my house. 
Tarry thou here a little. 

[Conducts him to the left entrance, 
places him behind the curtain 
and claps her hands for Zu- 
LEIKA, who comes in at left. 

Father comes; 
Call in the others. 

[Exit Zuleika, returning with 
Asenath and Amorah. 
May the fates be kind, 
In this great hour that makes or mars us all ! 

[Nathaniah comes in unattended, 
by the way of the wall: looks at 
Rahab, then goes to the other 
women, showing special tender- 
ness for Asenath. 






108 Rahab 

Amorah. 
Husband, unharmed ! Is't well with Jericho ? 

Nathaniah 
(sombrely). 
Jericho totters, — not because of dreams ! 
But that corruption eats into her heart 
And makes her battle-feeble. Just beyond 
The walls is Israel; within, gaunt hunger 
Begins to stalk with hollow eyes; the rabble, 
Vomited from a city's lairs of vice, 
Mutter and growl and threat: each moment 

here 
Hinders my duty. Come ye, now, with me, 
For I will hide ye where, whate'er betides, 
Lust shall not break thy peace. No harbour 

this 
For soldiers and their kind. Now hot-foot hence, 
I sin in coming for ye. 

ASENATH. 

Father, no; 
Let us not leave this house, — 'tis safer here. 
Our tower of strength is Rahab. 



Rahab 109 

Amorah. 

Yea, mayhap 

Our elder daughter — 

Nathaniah. 

Daughter ! Name her not. 
Fold Asenath from harm and keep her close 
Till she hath left the house : this is no spot 
For virgins. I will go into the garden 
To choose our readiest way — and then we'll 

forth 
Together. 

Rahab. 
Hold 1 They must not go, nor thou ; 
Let me but leave the place ; I am loath to make 
It noisome for thee ; but do beg thee, sir, 
Seek not the terrible outer ways ! 
Nathaniah 
(with emotion). 

My lease 
Of life runs out: my bones shall bleach in the 

sun, 
My body feed the jackals. What of that? 



no Rahab 

Why live without a country? Better lie 
Among the stark and undistinguished dead; 
In that gaunt company I shall not hear 
The ribald flout thy name: "The gold-won 

Rahab, 
Look, 'tis Nathaniah's daughter!" 
Rahab. 

Father mine, 
Thine anguish kills me; think me not — 

Nathaniah. 

Now peace ! 
Thou froward one ! Our councils are not thine. 

(To the others.) 
I carry papers of the King; designs 
That show the windings of our treasure-house. 
I must entrust them to my master. Come, 
Thy veils, thy veils ! 

[Mntterings again heard below. 

Zuleika 

(who has been watching at the window). 

Mistress, the people murmur. 



Rahab hi 

They ask the meaning of the cord that dangles 
The lattice down. 

[She returns to the window. 

Nathaniah 
(turns and sees it). 

Some colour-frippery! 
Or is it for a lure to gather here 
Thy lovers ? 

Rahab. 
It repels mine enemies, 
And thine, O father. 

Nathaniah. 

Folly from a fool, 
As juices from the betel nut ! Make haste. (To 
the other women.) 

ASENATH. 

If they should kill thee, father, we are left 
Alone. 

Nathaniah. 
Two women and a heap of words ! 
No more of this — away ! 



ii2 Rah ab 

ZULEIKA 

(coming from the window). 

She speaks but truth. 
Our house alone is safe : the seething mob 
Spit out their hate, demand the Israelites 
They fancy here; mere beasts that pant for 

blood, 
No sense of friend or foe. 

Nathaniah 
(striding towards window). 

One word from me 
Will still their clamour. 

[Gazes on mob. Hoarse cries of 
"Rahab, the cord," etc. 

Pull the bauble down; 
It maddens them. 

He tries to detach it. 

Rahab 

(rushes to him, and climbs lattice, making the 

cord secure) . 

The signal stays, our lives 
Hang by that slender line ! 



Rah ab 1 13 

Nathaniah. 

Be headstrong then. 
Befuddle thee with dreams and conjurers. 
Keep the girl with thee ; I am for the King. 

Rahab 
(aside to AsenathJ. 
Implore him : when he takes thee to his arms, 
Get thou the papers hidden in his breast. 

Nathaniah. 
Do thou, Amorah, watch thy younger child 
As the great leopard cat her offspring. 

Asenath 
(rushing to him). 
Father, thou wilt not leave us ! 

[While he embraces her, she gets 
the papers. 

Nathaniah 
(softened). 

Little one, 
All will be well, and thou be cherished soft; 
But go I must. 



1 14 Rah ab 

ASENATH 
(going to RAHABJ. 
I have them ! 
RAHAB (seizing the papers, casts them into the 
jaws of the image of the god Moloch, 
whence flames issue). 

My soul sings ! 
Father, thou goest to assist the King: 
The papers to deliver. Give them me, 
And I will do it. 

Nathaniah 

(feels instinctively in his bosom, and misses 

papers) . 

Robbed! Wanton, by thee? 
Rahab 
(opens her arms wide before him). 
Rend me apart, and all that's mine ! 
Nathaniah. 

No matter; 
I'll forth, if but to die ! 

ZULEIKA 

(rushes from the window down to the others 
with a wild cry). 



Rah ab 115 

Oh, what is this ! 
[A wonderful great noise of trum- 
pets and shouting, and the fall 
of mighty stones, as the walls of 
Jericho go down. Then rises 
clear above it all the victor-song 
of the children of Israel. Dur- 
ing the song, a lurid light plays 
over the city. 
Victor Song. 
The Lord is a Man of War, 
The Lord is his name. 
Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed glo- 
riously. 
All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away, 

Terror and dread fall upon them. 
By the greatness of thine arm they are as still as 

a stone. 
Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed glo- 
riously. 

[With a choral swell. 
Jehovah, Jehovah, Jehovah! 



u6 Rahab 

[All are moved and dazed. Then 
Nathaniah shakes of his stu- 
por. 

Nathaniah. 
Fallen ? All lost ! And I was cooped up here. — 
Women ! But I will go to welcome death, 
Not wait it here ! 

[Is hastening to window: Rahab 
throws herself before him. 
Rahab. 

Salmon, I summon thee ! 
[Salmon steps forth from the cur- 
tain. 
Seize on this man, chief councillor to our King; 
Let him not flee ! 

[From both sides, and in through 
the window, begin to pour the 
dark-garbed Israelites with sav- 
age looks and gestures. A sign 
from Salmon quells them. 
Salmon 
(gravely, going to Nathaniah,). 



R AH AB 117 

I hold thee, noble sir, 
An enemy of Israel. 

Nathaniah. 
And betrayed 
By mine own child, under her roof of sale ! 
Rahab 
(radiantly). 
Saved by thy child, beloved, and by one 
His country's leader. 

Salmon. 

And her lover-leal. 
[ To his soldiers. 
Lions ye are in Jericho's proud streets, 
Prey-hungry : here be lambs. The city dies, 
The only remnant, Rahab and her kin. 

[To Nathaniah. 
Good sir, thine honour, and thine house's honour 
Shall be perpetual. 

Rahab. 

My lord, my love ! 
[He seeks to embrace her: she holds 
him off. 



1 18 Rah ab 

But O my country's shame! Divided gladness! 
I walk to joy above my people's graves! 
My destiny is sombre. . . . Once again 
The dream, the vision ! 

[As she recites, the motif of 
Rahab's Song is heard once 
more, passing into a triumphant 
major. 

Hear the words : "By faith 
The harlot Rahab perished not with them 
That believed not, when she had received the 

spies 
With peace." The voice uplifts me. (To Sal- 
mon.,) Be thy God 
My God. I leave the old bad life behind. 
An outworn garment. 

Salmon. 

Mine to aid thee, sweet; 
"Beneath the cypresses, under the stars !" 
Rahab (taking pearl from her bosom and 
kissing it). 
The pearl shows no discolour from my breast. 



Rahab 119 

Out of the house of bondage, out of Passion, 
To love and light. 

Salmon. 
Rahab, of Israel! 



Curtain. 



Hale's Dramatists of Fo-day 

Rostand, Hauptmann, Sudermann, 
Pinero, Shaw, Phillips, Maeterlinck 

By Puof. EDWARD EVERETT HALE, Jr., of Union 
College. With gilt top, $1.50 net. (By mail, $1.60.) 

An informal discussion of their principal plays and of 
the performances of some of them. A few of those con- 
sidered are Man and Superman, Candida, Cyrano 
de Bergerac, L'Aiglon, The Sunken Bell, Magda, 
Ulysses, Letty, Iris, and Pelleas and Melisafide. The 
volume opens with a paper "On Standards of Criti- 
cism," and concludes with " Our Idea of Tragedy," and 
an appendix of all the plays of each author, with dates 
of their first performance or publication. 

Bookman: "He writes in a pleasant, free-and-easy way. . . . He 
accepts things chiefly at their face value, but he describes them so accu- 
rately and agreeably that he recalls vividly to mind the plays we have seen 
and the pleasure we have found in them." 

New York Evening Post : " It is not often nowadays that a theatrical 
book can be met with so free from gush and mere eulogy, or so weighted 
by common sense ... an excellent chronological appendix and full 
index . . . uncommonly useful for reference." 

Dial : " Noteworthy example of literary criticism in one of the most in- 
teresting of literary fields. . . . Provides a varied menu of the most 
interesting character. . . . Prof. Hale establishes confidential relations 
with the reader from the start. . . . Very definite opinions, clearly 
reasoned and amply fortified by example. . . . Well worth reading a 
second time." 

New York Tribune-' "Both instructive and entertaining." 

Brooklyn Eagle: "A dramatic critic who is not just 'busting' himself 
with Titanic intellectualities, but who is a readable dramatic critic. . . . 
Mr. Hale is a modest and sensible, as well as an acute and sound critic. . . . 
Most people will be surprised and delighted with Mr. Hale's simplicity, 
perspicuity, and ingenuousness." 

New York Dramatic Mirror: " Though one may not always agree 
with Mr. Hale's opinions, yet one always rinds that he has something 
interesting to say, and that he says it well. Entertaining and generally 
instructive without being pedantic." 

The Theatre: " A pleasing lightness of touch. . . . Very readable 
book." 



Henry Holt and Company 

Publishers New York 



SHAKESPEARE 



Brooke's Ten Plays of Shakespeare 

By Stopford A. Brooke 

8vo. Gilt top, $2.25 net. By mail, $2.38 

An interpretation of the methods of Shakespeare as an artist by 
the well-known writer on English literary history. Each play consid- 
ered (the list includes Midsummer NighVs Dream., Winter's Tale, 
Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, Richard II., Richard III., Mac- 
beth, Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Coriolanus) is not so much analyzed 
as "appreciated" in a thoroughly sympathetic spirit and genial style. 

"A more delightful volume of criticism it would be hard to find 
* * * one could scarcely have a more fascinating or more helpful 
companion with whom to wander through Shakespearean fields * * * 
his discrimination is markedly keen * * * each is illuminative and 
lovers of Shakespeare owe Mr. Brooke a debt of gratitude." — Boston 
Transcript. 

"Mr. Brooke justifies his interpretation by the personality of his 
point of view and more than all by the admiration and enthusiasm with 
which he approaches the subject. A delightful analysis of the poetry 
of the play, and indeed the great charm and value of his criticism as a 
whole lie in the emphasis which he places upon the art of Shakespeare 
and the keen zest which his comment adds to one's own delight in the 
beauty of the plays * * * The plays are treated with individuality 
and insight and with a finish and charm of style which would render 
the volume eminently readable, even to a jaded student of Shake- 
speare." — Times Review. 

Shakespeare's London 

By Henry Thew Stephenson 
With 42 illustrations, 357pp. I2mo. $2.00 net. By mail, $2.15 

At once a vivid portrayal and a careful and scholarly study, 
largely from contemporaneous sources, of the topography, customs, aud 
picturesque side of Elizabethan life. The illustrations are mostly from 
old prints. 

"Excellent reason for appearance * * * It is something more than 
a mere topographical survey ; the daily life of the people is described as 
vividly as their streets, their houses, and the mere external aspects of 
their week to week existence * * * Brings each scene directly before 
the eye of the reader." — Boston Transcript. 

Ten Brink's Five Lectures on Shakespeare 

Translated by Julia Franklin 
12mo. Gilt top, $1.25 

Contents : The Poet and the Man ; The Chronology of Shake- 
speare's Works ; Shakespeare as Dramatist, as Comic Poet, as Tragic 
Writer. 

"No single volume on the great dramatist is, in our judgment, 
superior in value to this modest but extremely able work." — Outlook. 

Henry Holt and Company 

Publishers (H, '06) New York 






FOUR NOTEWORTHY DRAMAS 



The Princess of Hanover 

A Play. By Margaret L.Woods, author of "A Village 
Tragedy." $1.50 net. (By mail, $1.57.) 

Thomas Hardy calls this play " the book I have read with the 
most interest and pleasure during the year." The London 
Times says, " It reminds us at every turn of some of the best 
Elizabethan dramatists." 



Nathan the Wise 

A dramatic Poem. By GOTTHOLD EPHRAIM LESSING. 
Translated by Ellen Frothingham. Preceded by a brief 
account of the dramatist and his works, and followed by 
Kuno Fischer's Essay on "Nathan the Wise." $1.50. 



King Rene's Daughter 

A Danish Lyrical Drama. By Henrik Hertz. Trans- 
lated by Theodore Martin. i6mo, gilt. $1.25. 

A modern classic, which has been played at leading theatres in 
Germany, France, Holland, Sweden, England, and the United 
States. 



Shakuntala ; or, The Recovered Ring 

A Hindoo Drama, by Kalidasa. Translated from the 
Sanskrit by A. Hjalmar Edgren, Ph. D., sometime Pro- 
fessor of Romance Languages, and Instructor in Sanskrit 
in the University of Nebraska. i6mo, gilt top. $1.50. 

Shakuntala is one of the world's dramas— indispensable in a 
library of dramatic literature. 



Henry Holt and Company 

Publishers (iii '05) New York 



FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE'S MEMOIRS 



Records of a Girlhood 



Large iamo, with Portrait. $2.00 

Nation : — " The book is so charming, so entertaining, so 
stamped with the impress of a strong, remarkable, various 
nature, that we feel almost tormented in being treated to a view 
only of the youthful phases of the character. Like most of the 
novels we read, or don't read, this volume is the history of a 
young lady's entrance into life. Mrs. Kemble's young lady is a 
very brillant and charming one, and our only complaint is that 

we part company with her too soon What we have here, 

however, is excellent reading." 



Records of Later Life 



Large i2mo. $2.00 

The Independent: — "It is too unique and rich in the vari- 
ous, not to say contrarious, phases of genius to be dispatched 

in a word Both the letters and the later notes are 

immensely entertaining. They sparkle with bright things and 
bristle with points, and whether she has to describe men or 
things, a landscape or affairs, or to write with graphic force, in 
comic strain, or with brilliant point, her pen never fails. It is 
easy to believe that all the bright spirits of contemporary time 
are to be met in these pages, from all professions and all stations 
in life; from England and America, with a great host besides 
from Italy and France. There is excellent criticism on books, 
new and old, on music and singers, on actors and the stage." 

N. Y. Evening Post:—' It makes a very charming addition 
to the literature of 'reminiscences.' It is impossible to read 
ten pages of it without perceiving that we are in the society of a 
superior mind and character." 



Henry Holt and Company 

Publishers (iv '05) New York 

C 32 89 ■••■<* 



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